About Us

Young At Art Children's Creative Center has a NEW HOME!

After nearly 10 successful & inspiring years in the Ocean Beach, San Diego area, Young At Art Children's Creative Center will now offer it's unique, award winning art program for children in McKinney, Texas at

2309 Rockhill Rd. 75070 just West of Hwy. 75 and South of Virginia Pkwy.(Please Call for an Appointment)

Young At Art offers a creative oasis, in a unique and comfortable home environment complete with a backyard garden & patio to offer inspiration, and an abundant ceramics area for pottery wheel, hand sculpting, glazing and kiln firing. Our teacher to student ratio is unbeatable and our staff is comprised of talented and experienced artists. Our Mural Walls are ever changing and always popular, giving young artists additional creative opportunities on a larger scale.

To gain a better introduction to Young At Art please watch our short video and read some of our Parent, Students & Teachers shared success stories of their Young At Art experience.

Our Mission:

Young At Art Children’s Creative Center is committed to providing a nurturing and positive atmosphere in which children can express themselves freely while engaging in the arts.

Our Goals:

INSPIRE

the life of a child by providing an opportunity to express, nurture, & trust their own creativity.

ENCOURAGE

by using the arts to establish common values of self-worth, confidence, dignity & a respect for themselves & each other.

PROVIDE

opportunities & validation through art scholarships and community projects.

Young At Art has provided over $45,000 in art scholarships and free community art projects & events since our opening in June of 2009.

Young At Art is also proud to offer our staff facilitated “Student Participation School Mural Projects”. We look forward to continuing these commitments in the years to come. Please see our Scholarships & Community Events pages for more information.

About the Founder:

Young At Art was founded and is directed by Kim Howell. She is a mother of 4, professional artist & muralist for over 25 years, and a children's book illustrator. She is the recipient of the Ocean Beach Town Council Award of 2012 in recognition of her work with the community's youth, and the OBTC's Community Grant in 2015 in honor of her outstanding service to the community. Kim is a two-time recipient of the Ocean Beach Main Street Association's Award for Community Mural Projects she organized in 2006 & 2010.

She is dedicated to inspiring, nurturing, and providing opportunities to young artists.

Shared testimonies by parents, students & teachers:

A Parent's Success Story...

My daughter received a scholarship via our school auction last year. From the moment she stepped in to the Young At Art studio she felt right at home. Over the past year, I have watched not only her love of art blossom, but also her personality and self esteem. Her confidence in her talent is amazing and to see how excited she gets when she is working on a new project is every parent's wish for their children. I am so thankful for Young At Art and Miss Kim.

Sincerely,

Carlen (Sydney, age 12)

Thank You letter from a Scholarship recipient:

“The art lessons are so much fun! I always enjoy them! The teachers are the best and are very sweet. They are also very calm and patient. The projects we make include painting with watercolors, painting fish, pottery, masks and more” Trinity, age 9

This quote from my little girl sums up the excitement she feels every time she talks about her art classes at Young At Art. Needless to say, once she started the classes, she instantly loved them! This program fit a need for my little girl that other extra curricular activities did not. These amazing art projects combined with fantastic teachers have allowed my daughter to tap into her creativity in a way that no other program could. Thank you so much for Young at Art and please thank those who made the scholarship possible.

Malcome

Dear Miss Kim,

Thank you for teaching me to be such a great artist. You are the best.

Logan, age 8

Love and thanks from “the twins' mom”...

Dear Miss Kim we will miss you so much. You have been such an important part of our lives for so long and Rainey and JoJo have learned so much from you. And not just about art...but about love and life and happiness! We love you with all our hearts.

The Williams (twins ages 9)

From a mom of 3 boys...

Miss Kim, thank you for being such an inspiration. You love my kids like they are your own and they will always remember you.

Much love,

Malissa (mom of Curran age 10, Logan age 8, and Braxton age 5)

Miss Kim,

Mondays at Young At Art have been so special to Lucas and Noah and me. I always love seeing everyone having fun, and wondering if there will be a treasure to take home. You and your staff made YAA such a special and welcoming place. Thank you for bringing YAA to our community. We love you and will miss you, you made a big difference in our lives and we will always remember this time with you.

Love, Robin (Lucas and Noah's mom, ages 6&9)

Letter from a long time Student...

Miss Kim I am so grateful for you. You have inspired me, taught me, and loved me for years.

I am so happy I chose this art class. I've grown so much because of it, made so many memories, and I'll never forget you or what Young At Art has become for me.

Thanks for all the love and memories. I love you so much.

Natalie, age 14

From a Young At Art Teacher...

Dear Miss Kim,

How can I express all the gratitude I have right now...? Working at YAA has been one of the best parts of my life in San Diego if not THE BEST! The space that you have created for all the YAA kids is so caring & creative, but I feel like what you've given to us teachers is so much more! You've welcomed us into your home and your life and trusted us to teach your mission and vision. Above all, you've brought together a community of creative women that I am so proud to be a part of. Your impact on all of us will live on forever!